Featured Shelter Animals Dec. 19, 2014

The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with family and loved ones, but it can be a stressful and dangerous time for your family pet. Now that the holidays are upon us, the SPCA would like to offer the following tips to help keep your pet safe. Don’t spoil the holiday season with an unnecessary medical emergency.

Hang breakables, tinsel, and other tempting decorations well out of paw’s reach. Tinsel, ribbon, and ornaments are especially dangerous to pets if chewed and swallowed.

Place holiday plants out of pet’s reach. Some seasonal plants can be poisonous, including mistletoe, holly berries, and poinsettias.

Watch out for electrical cords. Pets, especially puppies, often try to chew them and may get badly burned, shocked or electrocuted. Make sure your strands of lights, loose wires, and extension cords are out of reach.

Metal ornament hooks can get caught in curious mouths. Make sure ornaments are securely attached, and that no unused hooks are left around the house.

A Christmas tree should stand on a flat, wide base. Cats often see trees as excellent climbing posts, so be sure they are secure and not easily tipped over. Whether your tree is live or artificial, both kinds of needles are indigestible.

Cover your tree stand tightly with skirting. The water from the tree base can cause mouth sores, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

Refrain from using edible ornaments on your tree. They can pose an irresistible temptation for some pets.

Keep your pets away from holiday treats, especially chocolate. Theobomine and caffeine, active ingredients found in chocolate, are toxins and can be fatal to some animals.

Pets and candles just don’t mix. Keep Menorahs and scented candles out of reach.

If you plan to entertain, provide a “safe haven” to which your pets can retreat when they get overly excited and there is a possibility of escape.

If you are going away for the holidays: make sure pet enclosures are secure, your pets are wearing proper identification, and arrangements have been made for their care.

Featured Dog: Koda

Koda is on the chubby side and needs someone that will help him with a diet and exercise program. He would be a great partner for you to help fulfill your New Year’s Resolution. to diet and exercise more. He would be lighted to be the only dog in a home so he can get all the love and attention. We think he would be perfect for a retired couple. If you are looking for a TV buddy to hang out with on the sofa while you watch the news, play games, or watch your favorite show after your exercise routine, he is your boy! 3 years old.

Other Available Dogs: At this time there are no other dogs available for adoption.

Truffles

Available Cats: Truffles

We cannot believe this great cat still has not found her forever family. She knows her name and will come when you call her. She loves attention and will be a good companion while you read or watch TV. She is quite talkative and will tell you stories about her life. We know she once had a home and is now looking for somepne that will open their home and hearts to this sweet lady.

Sunshine

Other Available Cats: Sunshine- lost her home when her owner died. Shy but friendly. Beautiful white long hair with black tail and black markings on her head.

Dear Santa,

I’ve been pretty good this year. Please won’t you grant me my holiday wish? I’ve tried to be patient. But I’m still waiting for someone to love me. Could you bring me a new best friend who will play with me, teach me new things, cuddle me, and help me to be the best dog ever? They don’t have to be perfect. As long as they love me, I will believe that they’re the most wonderful person in the world. And I promise to love them with my whole heart forever.

Make a list and check it twice- getting a pet from the Mesquite Animal Shelter makes the holidays twice as nice.

Tail Wags and Kisses, the animals at the Mesquite Animal Shelter.

All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximated. The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., Monday through Saturday, Sunday 1 p.m. -3 p.m. Please call 702-346-7415 during these hours to speak to the front desk. Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268.

The animals submitted to the media may have changes so please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals. www.mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com